V12 Engine - Name that part!

[PJAB]

Hi

I have undertaken the ambitious project of attempting to refurbish a V12 engine. It is ambitious not just because of the nature of the engine - but more significantly because I am completely inexperienced in these matters. However, overcoming that inexperience and gaining a huge amount of knowledge are perhaps even more important projects goals than actually refurbishing the engine.

I have only just started the project. At the moment I am trying to remove all of the items attached to the block so that the engine is light enough to safely go on my engine stand.

This morning I removed this part - but don’t know what it is called nor what its purpose is. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

It was at the back of the engine (flywheel end), in the V. It had three pipes running from it - one to each of the cam covers (lower part) and one to the right hand crank case.

All suggestions and advice welcome.

Thanks

Peter

[PJAB]

Well - with a bit of t’internet research - I think that the sensor inside this part is an Oil Pressure Sender Unit.

That’s a good step forward - but I don’t really understand what it does (why it is needed) nor how it works. Why is it “wired” up the way that it is? Suggestions / explanations most welcome!

Thanks

Peter

[PJAB]

Well - with a bit more research in the ROM, I think the piece containing the red plastic is an Oil Pressure Warning Switch whereas the sensor under the rubber dome is the Oil Pressure Transmitter.

Does anyone agree with these identifications?

I still don’t understand why these parts are “plumbed in” the way that they are.

The topic of Banjo bolts has also raised its head now - I’m trying to work out how the hole in the bolt lines up with the flow of fluid when you replace the Banjo bolt. Is it all predetermined / calculated based on the crush washer size and the torque setting for the bolt - neither of which I can find in the ROM as yet.

Thanks in advance for any guidance

Peter

[BrianG]

Banjo Bolts:
when you get one undone you will see that the underside of the banjo head has a machined circular rebate. This allows oil to flow from the attached pipe on the banjo around the bolt until it finds wherever the hole in the bolt has finished up. The oil then flows down the hole in the bolt into the oil way that needs it. To stop any leakage the banjo must seal against a flat surface at the oil way entry; the hole in the banjo top must be a good fit around the bolt and the washer (often made of copper) under the bolt head should also have a hole which is a good fit on the bolt - not an ordinary washer! Sometimes a Dowty washer is used instead of a plain washer.

[PJAB]

Banjo Bolts:
when you get one undone you will see that the underside of the banjo head has a machined circular rebate. This allows oil to flow from the attached pipe on the banjo around the bolt until it finds wherever the hole in the bolt has finished up. The oil then flows down the hole in the bolt into the oil way that needs it. To stop any leakage the banjo must seal against a flat surface at the oil way entry; the hole in the banjo top must be a good fit around the bolt and the washer (often made of copper) under the bolt head should also have a hole which is a good fit on the bolt - not an ordinary washer! Sometimes a Dowty washer is used instead of a plain washer.

Hi Brian

Thanks for this explanation - it sounds like it is less complicated than I feared. I will take a closer look at the Banjo bolt and relate it to your explanation about how they work. I think i spooked myself at the start! I’ll also research Dowty washers.

All the best

Peter

[BrianG]

Hi Peter, glad to help. If you had owned old British motorcycles in your youth (and as I still do) you would be all too familiar with banjo bolts and also Dowty washers to upgrade from original fibre washers!

[PJAB]

Hi Brian

Indeed! On YouTube there is a lot of association of Banjo bolts and motorbikes. There was also an American guy who was adamantly (as people tend to be on social media) proposing what I now know to to Dowty washers as a much more reliable way to create a good seal with a Banjo bolt than brass crush washers.

I’m definitely learning - thanks!

Peter